Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, announces that today a new factory for waterborne acrylic resins has been opened in Waalwijk. Total investment costs amounted to EUR 30 million.

The opening ceremony for the new factory, which was built at the existing DSM NeoResins+ production site in Waalwijk, was performed by Feike Sijbesma, CEO of DSM, together with Hans Wijers, CEO of AkzoNobel. DSM Resins, the business group that includes DSM NeoResins+, is one of AkzoNobel’s key suppliers of innovative resins used in a broad range of AkzoNobel’s coatings for a variety of end-markets.

Waterborne acrylic resins manufactured by DSM NeoResins+ have far less environmental impact and are much more painter friendly than traditional solvent-based resins while offering high performance and durability standards. The waterborne acrylic resins, which comply with current and future legislation regarding volatile organic compounds (VOC), are used in coatings for joinery, decorative and industrial wood applications as well as in the graphic arts industry.

- This expansion is an important milestone for DSM NeoResins+ as a trusted, innovative partner for the coatings industry. That an important partner and highly valued customer such as AkzoNobel agreed to open this facility underlines this. Even though we find ourselves in the midst of an economic downturn, we continue our strategic commitment to innovation and sustainability as highlighted by this important expansion -Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the DSM Managing Board said.

- AkzoNobel and DSM Resins have been valued partners for a long time. This partnership helps us to supply customers with new, innovative coatings that are more environmentally and painter friendly than traditional solvent-based coatings - adds Hans Wijers, Chief Executive Officer of AkzoNobel said.

During the ceremony both CEOs stressed the importance of innovation and collaboration between companies, as illustrated today by DSM and AkzoNobel. - It is of vital importance for a country such as the Netherlands to remain focused on innovation and sustainability, especially in the current economic climate. This will ensure an improved competitive position for the country in the future - Sijbesma and Wijers jointly said.

Waterborne acrylic resins use water as a carrier instead of oil-based solvents. Solvent-based paints contain a variety of VOC that are harmful to the environment and painters. New and upcoming environmental regulations, in both Europe and North America, are driving demand for low-VOC and zero-VOC coatings which are durable, cost-effective and less harmful to both the environment and painters. DSM NeoResins+ has been an early adapter to the new regulations, and has worked on building a portfolio of products that meet future requirements today, without compromising on performance.

DSM NeoResins+ is also taking up its leadership role in markets such as China where solvent-borne resins are still commonly used to convince governments to apply stricter regulations to enable a switch to more environmental friendly waterborne resins.